The Basics

How It Works: Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Antibiotics can improve acne symptoms by limiting the growth of bacteria that contribute to Acne Vulgaris.

When is this medication used? Clindamycin is is used for the treatment of all types of acne, from very mild to severe (Acne Types: 1-4). In cases of moderate to severe acne (Acne Types: 3-4), clindamycin is often combined with complementary treatments.

Important Note: The information provided on this site is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. The Science of Acne strongly encourages you to consult a qualified medical professional before making any treatment decisions. For the complete disclaimer, click here.

Clindamycin and Acne

Topical clindamycin is one of the most popular topical antibiotics for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Oral clindamycin is also available, but is not commonly used for the treatment of acne. For individuals with macrolide-susceptible P. acnes infections, topically applied clindamycin can be an effective treatment.

Topical antibiotics are generally more effective against mild to moderate acne vulgaris (Acne Types: 1-2), and are less effective in treating severe or inflammatory acne (Acne Types: 3-4). Topical clindamycin is often combined with additional medications (topical retinoids, oral retinoids and benzoyl peroxide) or treatments (light and laser therapy) to improve the overall outcome of treatment. Topical clindamycin treatments tend to have few side effects and are generally well tolerated by patients.

Patient Reviews of Clindamycin

Clindamycin is one of the most commonly used medications to treat acne vulgaris. Clindamycin is generally well reviewed by acne patients. Clindamycin can be very effective against mild to moderate acne. However, bacterial resistance to clindamycin is common, and increasing. Clindamycin-resistant P. acnes bacteria are involved in many cases of acne vulgaris. Topical clindamycin is generally not completely effective as monotherapy (used alone) against moderate to severe inflammatory acne.

Cost and Availability of Clindamycin

If possible, Clindamycin should be obtained through consultation of a physician. Most doctors and dermatologists are comfortable with this medication and it is commonly prescribed as a topical treatment for acne vulgaris. The use of oral clindamycin to treat acne vulgaris is less common. Both the oral and topical forms of clindamycin are widely available in both brand name and generic formulations. In generic form, both the topical and oral forms of clindamycin are moderately expensive. Compound formulations that combine clindamycin with other medications are also common, but are often available only in brand name formulations. These compound medications are often significantly more expensive than basic clindamycin.

Clindamycin Side Effects

Oral clindamycin has many of the same potential side effects as oral macrolide antibiotics, like azithromycin and clarithromycin. The most common problems are gastro-intestinal upset. Allergic reactions are also possible. These reactions often include symptoms like fever, skin rash, joint pain, nausea and headaches. The extended use of certain oral antibiotics, like clindamycin, increases patients risk of certain opportunistic infections by opportunistic pathogens, like Clostridium dificile bacteria.

Clindamycin Background

Clindamycin (Cleocin) Molecule

Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic that is structurally and functionally similar to the macrolide family of antibiotics (eg. erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin). The antibiotic inhibits bacterial growth by preventing susceptible bacteria from synthesizing new proteins. Clindamycin is most effective in treating infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria and anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria. It is active against Propionibacterium acnes, as well as many forms of Streptoccocus and Staphyloccocus bacteria.

Clindamycin is available in both oral and topical formulations. Topical clindamycin is used to treat several types of skin infection, including acne vulgaris. Oral clindamycin is not frequently used to many bacterial infections. Oral clindamycin is rarely used in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Oral clindamycin is sometimes used as a treatment for malaria (caused by a protozoa).

Bacterial resistance to clindamycin (and resistance to macrolides in general) is becoming a major problem in many parts of the world, particularly in the highly developed countries of North America and Europe. Bacteria that are resistant to clindamycin are usually resistant to most macrolide antibiotics, and vice versa.

Zouboulis, et al. 2003. Two randomized, double-blind, controlled trials of 2219 subjects to compare the combination clindamycin/tretinoin hydrogel with each agent alone and vehicle for the treatment of acne vulgaris.